News

MS Physical Therapy in Need of Proper Study, Experts Say

The National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ announced that a panel of expertsĀ led a comprehensive review of 142 published studies addressing rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS), and found evidence suggesting that weekly in-home or outpatient physical therapy offers benefits ā€” but, mostly, it found a lack of well-designed studies into…

MS May Be Triggered by the Death of Brain Cells

Researchers are proposing for a first timeĀ thatĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) is triggered by the death of a specific cell population within the central nervous system called oligodendrocytes. The study, titled ā€œOligodendrocyte death results in immune-mediated CNS demyelination,ā€ was published in the journal Nature Neuroscience. Oligodendrocytes,…

Potential Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Seen in Addex’s mGluR4 Modulator

Addex Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel small molecule allosteric modulators for neurological disorders, recently announced the publication of positive results from studies evaluating the therapeutic effect of ADX88178, a metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4)Ā modulator, in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. The research article, titled ā€œAllosteric modulation…

MS Nerve Degeneration Triggered by Chain Reaction in Cells

Researchers in theĀ United Kingdom recently discoveredĀ that a small molecule triggers the destruction of axons, a phenomenon observed in neurodegenerative diseases likeĀ multiple sclerosis (MS). The study is titled ā€œWallerian Degeneration Is Executed by an NMN-SARM1-Dependent Late Ca2+ Influx but Only Modestly Influenced by Mitochondriaā€ and appears inĀ the journal…

2 New Treatments for Relapsing-Remitting MS Now Available in New Zealand

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Zealand (MSNZ)Ā announced thatĀ PHARMAC has agreed with its requestĀ toĀ finance two novel first-in-line therapies for relapsing-remitting forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), making them accessible to patients there. PHARMAC recently agreed to fund theĀ two treatments, teriflunomide (Aubagio), supplied by Sanofi-Aventis NZ, and dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera),…

Study Recruiting MS Patients to Assess Exercise and Behavioral Therapy

Dr. Bradley Bowser, a South Dakota State University (SDSU) researcher and assistant professor, is investigating whether the practice of exercise, either by itself or together with cognitive behavioral therapy, can effectively improve mobility and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a neurodegenerative condition that oftenĀ induces…

In Multiple Sclerosis Study, Vitamin D Shown to Aid Myelin Repair

A new study in the Journal of Cell BiologyĀ suggestsĀ that vitamin D activates a receptor involved in myelin regeneration in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study, entitled ā€œVitamin D receptorā€“retinoid X receptor heterodimer signaling regulates oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation,ā€ and was led by researchers…

Potential MS Biomarker Seen in Adipose Tissue Secretion

In a new study titled ā€œAdipsin Is Associated with Multiple Sclerosis: A Follow-Up Study of Adipokines,ā€ researchers report a correlation between an adipokine called adipsin and the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The study was published in the Multiple Sclerosis International journal. Obese adolescents…

MS Therapy Aims to Slow Brain Inflammation with Fewer Side Effects

A research team from the University of Alberta, Canada, is exploring a new therapeutic way ofĀ reducing brain inflammation inĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with fewer side effects. The study, titled ā€œGranzyme B-inhibitor serpina3n induces neuroprotection in vitro and in vivo,ā€ appearedĀ in the Journal of Neuroinflammation. Most available…

MS Researchers at Japanese Hospital to Use Novel MRI Technology

Juntendo University Hospital, the first medical school in Japan to adopt Western medicine, recently signed a research agreement withĀ SyntheticMRĀ to employ the companyā€™s SyMRI technology in clinical research projects at the hospital involving patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) or brain tumor metastases.Ā Ā SyntheticMRĀ isĀ a Swedish company developing and commercializing software…

Tips for Managing Multiple Sclerosis During the Holidays

TheĀ holidays can be stressful on everyone, andĀ especially onĀ those with multiple sclerosis (MS). A health specialist is offering theseĀ eightĀ suggestionsĀ to MS patients and their families as a way to enjoy this season, and to keep it as free as possible of disease flares or symptom worsening. Increased demands on daily routines, travel,…

Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Now Available in Japan

Takeda Pharmaceutical, a pharmaceutical company based in Osaka, Japan, recently announcedĀ that a widely approved drug treatment forĀ the prevention of relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS)Ā is nowĀ available in Japan as well. Copaxone,Ā (glatiramer acetate; 20 mg daily subcutaneous injection), developed by Teva Pharmaceuticals, is an immunomodulatory drug designed toĀ act as…

Some RRMS and SPMS Patients Share a Similar Gene Expression in Response to IFN Treatment

In a new study entitled ā€œTranscriptional response to interferon beta-1a treatment in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis,ā€ a team of researchers discovered a subgroup of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients (SPMS) exhibiting the same gene expression response to interferon (IFN) treatment as patients with relapsing-remitting MS…

Brickell Biotech Targeting MS and Other Autoimmune Diseases

Brickell Biotech, Inc., a pharmaceutical company developingĀ novel therapies in the field of dermatology, recently announced it has exclusive worldwide rights over a series of new, retinoic acid-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma (RORy) inhibitors from the New York University (NYU) and Orca Pharmaceuticals.Ā As part of the agreement, Brickell will be…

RRMS Clinical Study of New Antibiotic Therapy Nearing End

RedHill Biopharma, Ltd., recently announced the conclusion of the last dosing and patient follow-up visit for its Phase 2a proof-of-concept study to assess the efficacy and safety of the experimental drug RHB-104 as an add-on therapy to interferon beta-1a in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

MS Researchers Gather in Texas to Share Findings, Advance Ideas

The Fifth Tykeson Fellows ConferenceĀ broughtĀ senior multiple sclerosis (MS) scientists together with nearly 100Ā young research and clinical fellows from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, MS Society of Canada, and MS International Federation to promote collaboration, networking, and the sharing of research data with the goal of improving patientsā€™ lives and developing…

Experimental Relapsing-Remitting MS Drug Treatment Advancing

Synthetic Biologics, which specializes in the development of therapies forĀ pathogen-specific diseases, recently announced theĀ publication of new and positive data on results from a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the companyā€™s product Trimestaā„¢ as a treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in women. Professor Rhonda Voskuhl, director of theĀ Multiple Sclerosis Program…

Multiple Sclerosis-like Disorder Blocked in Mice Study

Researchers demonstrated a processĀ that prevented an induced autoimmune disease from taking hold in the central nervous system of mice, and think it has the potential of being translated into a multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy. The study detailing the method and its promising results is entitled ā€œInfusion of Sulfosuccinimidyl-4-[N-maleimidomethyl]cyclohexane-1-carboxylate-Conjugated MOG35ā€“55-Coupled…

People with Relapsing NMOD Invited to Enter Phase 3 Study

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recently announced that a research team is recruiting 132 patients with a diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) for a Phase 3 clinical study comparing an experimental medicine with an inactive placebo. NMOSD is a rare disorder caused by immune system cells attacking…

Pomegranate Seed Oil May Be Therapy for MS Disease and Its Progression

In a recent study,Ā researchers show how a natural antioxidant within pomegranate seeds is capable of inhibiting demyelination in a mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS), supporting novel formulations of natural antioxidants as therapeutics for demyelinating diseases. The study,Ā ā€œTreatment of a multiple sclerosis animal model by a novelĀ nano dropĀ formulation of…

APF Scholarship Goes to Study of Stigma and Depression in MS

Ms. Margaret Cadden, a Pennsylvania State University doctoral student in Clinical Psychology, has been selected by theĀ American Psychological Foundation (APF)Ā as the recipient of theĀ 2015 APF Scott and Paul Pearsall Scholarship prize of $10,000. The scholarship will be used to researchĀ depression, stigma, and disease progression in individuals with varying…

Opexa Therapeutics’ MS Therapy Selected as ‘Top Project to Watch’

Opexa TherapeuticsĀ announced that it has been named one of theĀ ā€œTop Projects to Watchā€Ā for the third consecutive year. A panel of independent experts recognized the biopharmaceutical company for its work in the development of personalized immunotherapies for autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Opexa was…

MS Society Funds 3 New Investigations into Symptom Management

TheĀ Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society)Ā in the U.K. recently announcedĀ  awards targeted towardsĀ new MS research. In total, 16 projects carefully selected by both a panel of experts and patients living with MS will share MS Society 2015 funding grants amounting toĀ Ā£1,979,879. All projects fulfilled the requirements of high scientific…

MS Patients on Salt-heavy Diets Risk Inflammation

Findings from two studies, recently published in theĀ Journal of Clinical Investigation, indicate that high levels of salt alter the stability of the immune system and make it more susceptible to inflammation. The studies, which were led by Dr. David Hafler from Yale University and Dr. Dominik…

Multiple Sclerosis Patients Show Improved Reactions with Treadmill Exercise

Several studies have shown that exercise can improve movement in multiple sclerosis (MS), but new researchĀ indicates that it specifically may also Ā improve reaction time, a measurement of cognitive impairment. The study, titled “Acute effects of varying intensities of treadmill walking exercise on inhibitory control in persons with…